Casing for holding a fluid for a heat exchanger, method for producing a casing of this type and heat exchanger

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a casing for holding a coolant for heat exchanger ( 1 ) for motor vehicles, said casing having two side walls ( 22, 24  and  22   a,    24   a ) two front walls ( 26, 28,  and  26   a,    28   a ), a cover ( 18  and  18   a ) and a base ( 20  and  20   a ) lying opposite the cover ( 18  and  18   a ), said base being provided with one or more openings ( 60 ) for receiving tubes, in particular connecting tubes such as flat tubes. According to the invention, the base ( 20  and  20   a ) and at least one of the two side walls ( 26, 28  and  26   a,    28   a ) consist of a one-piece shaped part, produced in a forming method.

The invention relates to a casing for holding a fluid for a heatexchanger, to a method for producing such a casing, and also to a heatexchanger.

From EP 1 139 054 B1, a casing is known for holding a fluid for a heatexchanger.

This known casing has a base with receptacle slots for connecting tubesor flat tubes and a cover arranged opposite this base. This cover isformed in one piece with the two end walls.

The invention is based on the problem of devising an economical andeasy-to-produce fluid casing for a heat exchanger.

This problem is solved by a casing for holding a fluid for a heatexchanger by a method for producing such a casing for holding a fluid,and also by a heat exchanger with the features of the correspondingindependent claims.

Advantageous embodiments and refinements are the subject matter of thesubordinate claims. The subject matter of the subordinate claims relatesboth to casings according to the invention for holding a fluid for aheat exchanger, to the method according to the invention for producingsuch a casing, and also to the heat exchanger according to theinvention.

According to the invention, in particular, a casing for holding a fluidis proposed, wherein the fluid is preferably a coolant, which is why,without its representing a limitation, it is also designated below as acoolant casing.

The cooling casing that is advantageously designed for a heat exchanger,in particular, for a heat exchanger of a motor vehicle, has two sidewalls, two end walls, a cover, and also a base.

It is provided, in particular, that the mentioned end walls, thementioned side walls, the base, and the cover define an inner space ofthe coolant casing.

According to the invention, for the coolant casing, the base and atleast one of the two end walls, in particular, both end walls are formedby a one-piece molded part formed by a shaping method.

In addition, one of the side walls, in particular, both end walls couldbe additional components of the one-piece molded part formed by theshaping method.

It can also be provided that, for the coolant casing, the side walls arearranged at a distance from each other and, advantageously, parallel toeach other, especially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of thecasing or coolant casing. A corresponding situation applies for the sidewalls that are then arranged, in particular, in the longitudinaldirection of the coolant casing. The cover and the base are alsoarranged, in particular, spaced apart relative to each other.

In an especially preferred way, the shaping method is a drawing method,in particular, a deep-drawing method, and/or hydro-shaping, and/or moldpressing.

The base advantageously has a bulged configuration.

In the base, one or more receptacle openings for tubes could beprovided, in particular, for connecting tubes. The tubes could beshaped, for example, as flat tubes and could be a component of atube-rib block. It can be further provided that for each separate tube,a separate opening is provided in the base. However, a large areaopening for holding all of the tubes of the tube-rib block could also beprovided.

In an especially preferred way, it could be provided that the one ormore end walls have a flap or bending line along which the one or moreend walls can be folded or bent.

The flap or bending line could here run at a given height of the one ormore end walls, in particular, perpendicular to a longitudinal directionof the base.

Preferably, the given height lies in or close to a plane that is definedby the lower edges of the side parts.

In one especially preferred implementation, a first region of the one ormore end walls is drawn, in particular, deep-drawn, wherein this firstregion is arranged underneath the flap or bending line, and/or a secondregion of the one or more end walls is folded or bent about this flap orbending line, wherein this second region is arranged above the flap orbending line.

Alternatively, it could be provided to fill the remaining height bycover parts.

In another alternative implementation, the one or more end walls aredrawn all together or completely, in particular, deep-drawn.

Preferably, it could also be provided that the one or more end wallshave a bracket and/or assembly that is arranged, in particular, on theside and/or that can be angled. The one or more brackets and/orassemblies can be angled such that they are arranged essentiallyparallel to one of the side walls and/or they are connected to one ofthe side walls, in particular, by a solder connection.

Also, in the molded part, at least one, in particular, two essentiallytriangular recesses could be formed in a transition region between thebase and the one or more end walls. This could be provided, inparticular, for simplifying processing of the one-piece molded part, inparticular, bending or folding or flapping.

In the cover, a recess could be provided, advantageously like a type ofbead or formed as a bead or as a groove that extends, in particular,perpendicularly to a longitudinal direction of the cover and in whichextends a wall, in particular, one of the two end walls of the coolantcasing.

In an especially preferred way, it is provided that several suchrecesses are provided. It could be provided, for example, in anespecially preferred way, that such a recess is provided in the coverfor each of the two end walls. The recess(es) of the cover are formed,in particular, free from break-outs.

Furthermore, it could be provided that alternatively, or additionally, arecess is provided in the cover in which extends a separating wall thatdivides the inner space of the coolant casing into sub-chambers. In thefollowing, for simplification, the term recess is used, wherein it is tobe noted that in a preferred construction, several recesses areprovided, that is, in particular, one or more recesses for the end wallsof the coolant casing.

In a preferred construction, the cover has a U-shaped form in crosssection, so that two spaced-apart flanges are formed that are connectedto a cover base by means of a connection section lying in between. ThisU-shape could be formed, for example, from vertical or approximatelyvertical sections. Rounded shapes are also preferred.

The cover could be inserted in the coolant casing so that the flangesgrip over the side walls of the coolant casing from the outside.

In an especially preferred construction, brackets that have, in anespecially preferred way, an arc-shaped form extend from the flanges ofthe U-shape that are also designated as legs. These bracketsadvantageously grip over the side walls of the coolant casing. Here itcan be preferably provided that the cover is inserted in the coolantcasing so that the flanges project from the connection section in thedirection away from the base of the coolant casing and the brackets thatare then bent outward connect to the ends located in this direction, sothat they grip over the side walls of the coolant casing from theoutside. It is especially provided that—viewed in the longitudinaldirection of the coolant casing—several such brackets spaced apart fromeach other are provided on the cover.

In the method according to the invention for producing a casing forholding a fluid, such as a coolant, for a heat exchanger, in particular,for producing the coolant casing according to the invention, an innerspace of the casing is defined by walls, in particular by two sidewalls, two end walls, a cover, and a base arranged opposite the cover.

For producing the casing, a one-piece part that has the base and atleast one of the two end walls is produced by a separating method, inparticular, by punching.

It can be preferably provided that this one-piece part has the base andalso the two end walls, in particular, in another improvement, also thetwo side walls.

According to the invention, for producing the coolant casing, theone-piece part is further processed by a shaping method, in particular,

drawing, especially deep-drawing, and/or hydro-shaping, and/or moldpressing, wherein the one or more end walls, in particular—in the casethat the one-piece part has two end walls—the two end walls is or are atleast partially formed.

The one-piece part is then connected to another part or other parts thatforms or form the other walls defining the inner space of the casing forforming the coolant casing, in particular, by solder-plating.

For production, it can be preferably provided to form the one or moreend walls, in particular, the two end walls all together or completelyby the shaping method. However, it could also be provided to furtherform at least one end wall, in particular, the two end walls only up toa partial height by the shaping method and then for a remaining heightby folding or bending.

The heat exchanger, in particular, a cooler for a motor vehicle, has atube-rib block and a casing or coolant casing according to theinvention, wherein tubes of the tube-rib block in the region of the baseof the casing open into this region.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained below with reference tothe figures. Shown are:

FIG. 1 a, an example heat exchanger according to the invention that isformed as a cooler with an example casing according to the invention forholding a fluid, wherein the casing is here a coolant casing;

FIG. 1 b, the heat exchanger according to FIG. 1 in a view from above:

FIG. 1 c, a side view of the heat exchanger according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 a, a unit of a coolant casing of the heat exchanger according toFIG. 1, which has two side walls, two end walls, and a base in a topview onto one of the two side walls;

FIG. 2 b, the unit according to FIG. 2 a in a top view onto the base;

FIG. 2 c, the unit according to FIG. 2 a in a top view onto the other ofthe two side walls;

FIG. 2 d, a partial section view along line A-A from FIG. 2 b;

FIG. 2 e, a (section) view of the construction according to FIG. 2 afrom the right;

FIG. 2 f, a section view along line B-B from FIG. 2 b;

FIG. 3 a, an example construction of a cover of a casing according tothe invention in side view, wherein this construction of the cover isgiven, in particular, for the construction according to FIGS. 1 a to 3k;

FIG. 3 b, the cover according to FIG. 3 a in top view;

FIG. 3 c, the cover according to FIG. 3 a in a three-dimensional,perspective view from below;

FIG. 3 d, a section along line C-C from FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 e, a section along line D-D from FIG. 3 b in partial view;

FIG. 3 f, a section along line E-E from FIG. 3 b;

FIG. 3 g, a section along line F-F from FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 h, a section along line G-G from FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 3 i, a perspective view onto a section of the cover provided withbrackets according to FIG. 3 a from above;

FIG. 3 k, an enlarged cutout from FIG. 3 a;

FIG. 4, a cutout of an example casing according to the invention,wherein the construction according to FIG. 4 could also be given, inparticular, in the construction according to FIGS. 1 a to 3 k;

FIG. 5, a top view onto the construction according to FIG. 4:

FIG. 6, a cutout shown in perspective of an example coolant casingaccording to the invention, wherein the construction according to FIG. 6could also be given in the construction according to FIGS. 1 a to 3 k;

FIGS. 7 a to 7 d, a view of a detail of a cover-casing connection;

FIGS. 8 a to 8 d, a view of a detail of a cover-casing connection;

FIG. 9, a view of a detail of a cover-casing connection;

FIG. 10, a view of a detail of a cover-casing connection;

FIG. 11, a view of a detail of a cover-casing connection;

FIG. 12, a view of a detail of a cover-casing connection;

FIGS. 13 a to 13 c, a view of a casing;

FIGS. 14 a to 14 c, a view of a cover; and

FIG. 15, a view of a heat exchanger.

FIGS. 1 a to 5 show an example embodiment of a heat exchanger 1according to the invention with a casing according to the invention forholding a fluid. This casing for holding a fluid is, in particular, acoolant casing, so that, for simplification, the term coolant casing isused below.

The heat exchanger 1 has a first coolant casing 10 and a second coolantcasing 12 spaced apart from this first casing, and also a tube-rib block14 that is arranged between these coolant casings 10, 12.

The tube-rib block 14 has a plurality of connecting tubes that areoriented in parallel and that are shaped, in this example, as flattubes. Between these connecting tubes, tube intermediate spaces areformed—perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of these connectingtubes—in which ribs are arranged in a known way, such that the tube-ribblock can carry a flow of air perpendicular to the plane formed by thetube arrangement.

The connecting tubes of the tube-rib block 14 each open with a first endinto the first coolant casing 10 and with their second end into thesecond coolant casing 12.

The cooling casings 10, 12 have first units 16 and 16 a, respectively,and also covers 18 and 18 a, respectively.

The first unit 16 or 16 a has a base 20 or 20 a on the side opposite thecover 18 or 18 a. Furthermore, the unit 16, 16 a has a first side wall22 or 22 a, a second side wall 24, 24 a opposite this first side wall22, 22 a, a first end wall 26 or 26 a defining the inner space of thecoolant casing 10 or 12 in a first orientation of its longitudinaldirection (indicated by the double arrow 30), and also a second end wall28 or 28 a defining this inner space of the first 10 or second coolantcasing in the opposite orientation (this longitudinal direction 30). Theside walls 22, 24 or 22 a, 24 a and also the base 20 or 20 a also definethe inner space of the coolant casing 10 or 12.

Furthermore, the inner space of the coolant casing 10 or 12 is definedby the cover 18 or 18 a.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 a to 5, which could also berealized differently, the heat exchanger 1 that is also designated orcould be formed as a cooler is divided functionally into two (sub)coolers or (sub) heat exchangers. For this purpose, viewed in thelongitudinal direction 30, a separating wall 32 or 34 is provided at thesame height in the two coolant casings 10, 12, each perpendicular tothis longitudinal direction 30. Additional separating walls arranged inthe coolant casings 10, 12 at different heights in the longitudinaldirection 30 could also be provided (that are not shown in the figure)that cause a serpentine-like deflection of the coolant.

It could be provided, for example, that the upper sub-cooler in FIG. 1 ais a component of a high-temperature cooling circuit and the lowersub-cooler 38 is a component of a low-temperature circuit.

A main port 40 or 42 opens into the first coolant casing 10 and alsointo the second coolant casing 12, wherein coolant can flow into theupper sub-cooler 36 via one of these main ports 40, 42 and wherein thecoolant can flow out from the upper sub-cooler 36 again via the other ofthe these ports 40, 42.

Accordingly, the lower sub-cooler 38 has a port 44 opening into thefirst coolant casing 10 and also a port 46 opening into the secondcoolant casing 12, wherein here coolant can also flow through one ofthese ports 44, 46 into the lower sub-cooler 38 and can flow out fromthis lower sub-cooler 38 through the other of these ports 46, 44.

In the region of the first coolant casing 10 there is furthermore adrain plug 48 for draining coolant. Furthermore, in the region of thefirst coolant casing 10, here in the region of the upper end, there is aport 50 for filling with coolant and/or venting.

FIG. 1 b shows a top view onto the construction according to FIG. 1 afrom above.

FIG. 1 c shows a side view of the construction according to FIG. 1 afrom the left.

FIGS. 2 a to 2 f show different views of the first coolant casing 10 orthe first unit 16 of this first coolant casing 10.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 c here show a top view onto the side walls 22 or 24 fromthe outside. FIG. 2 b shows a top view onto the base 20 from theoutside.

In FIGS. 2 a and 2 c, it can be easily inferred that the base 20 has anundulating structure.

FIG. 2 b clearly shows that there are slot-shaped openings for holdingthe flat tubes of the tube-rib block 14 in the base.

From FIGS. 2 a and 2 c it can also be easily inferred—just as from FIG.1 a—that the end of the side walls 22, 24 facing away from the tube-ribblock 14 has, to a large extent, an essentially straight structure andhas an indentation in the region in which the main port is arranged.

This indentation is provided, in particular, because the main port 40here has correspondingly large dimensions.

From FIGS. 2 a and 2 c it can be inferred that the separating wall 32does not extend up to the end of the side walls 22, 24 facing away fromthe tube-rib block. Nevertheless, this separating wall 32 divides theinner space 62 of the coolant casing 10 into two sub-chambers 64, 66.

This is enabled because the cover (not shown in FIGS. 2 a to 2 f) ispushed so far into the first unit 16 that it essentially contacts thisseparating wall 32.

FIG. 2 d shows a section view along line A-A from FIG. 2 b in a partialview. FIG. 2 e shows a side view or a corresponding section view of theconstruction according to FIG. 2 a from the right. FIG. 2 f shows asection view along line B-B from FIG. 2 b. There it is to be easily seenthat the base 20 has a bulged structure.

In FIG. 2 d it is to be easily seen that the base with an undulatingstructure in the longitudinal direction 30 and with a bulged structurebetween the side walls 22, 24 forms insertion beveling for the flattubes of the tube-rib block 14 through its undulating profile. The slots60 are here arranged essentially in the region of the deeper positionsof the undulating profile, as seen from the outside.

Furthermore, through the undulating structure, a certain reinforcementeffect is achieved in the region of the base.

In FIG. 2 d it is to be seen that the transition region 68 between thebase 20 and the end wall 26 or 28 has a one-piece structure andtransitions in one piece into a lower part 26-2 or 28-2 of the end wall26 or 28.

The lower part 26-2 or 28-2 of the end wall 26 or 28 is separated fromthe upper part 26-1 or 28-1 of the end walls 26 or 28 by a bending orfolding line 26-3 or 28-3 shown with dashed lines in FIGS. 2 e and 2 f.

By the dashed region 70 it is indicated schematically that, in the scopeof the completion, the upper parts 26-1, 28-1 of the end walls 26, 28are folded up or bent up along the bending/folding line 26-3, 28-3.

The upper parts 26-1, 28-1 of the end walls 26, 28 could here be bent,for example, against a stop or against an end side, in particular, anend side of the side walls 22, 24.

Furthermore, from FIGS. 2 c and 2 d it can be easily inferred that theend walls 26, 28 or the upper parts 26-1, 28-1 of the end walls 26, 28have lateral brackets or assemblies 72 in each of their end regionsfacing the side walls 22, 24.

These brackets 72 project in the longitudinal direction 30 or in thedirection of the side walls 22, 24 away from the end wall 26, 28 or fromthe upper parts 26-1, 28-1 of the end walls 26, 28 and are soldered, forexample, by means of solder-plating, to the side walls 22 or 24 on theoutside or inside.

Alternatively, it could also be provided that such brackets 72 areprovided on the side walls 22 and 24 at corresponding positions andthese brackets are bent so that they run in the direction of the endwall plane and are soldered to the corresponding upper part 26-1, 28-1of the end walls 26, 28, particularly by means of solder-plating.

FIGS. 3 a to 3 k show an example cover of the coolant casing 10.

Here, FIG. 3 a shows a side view of the cover 18, FIG. 3 b a top view ofthe cover 18, FIG. 3 c a three-dimensional view of the cover 18 frombelow, FIG. 3 d a section view along line C-C from FIG. 3 a. FIG. 3 e apartial section view along line D-D from FIG. 3 b. FIG. 3 f a sectionview along line E-E from FIG. 3 b, FIG. 3 g a section view along lineF-F from FIG. 3 a, and FIG. 3 h a section view along line G-G from FIG.3 a.

FIG. 3 i shows a perspective top view onto the cover according to FIG. 3a in the region of the brackets arranged on the end side of the legs.FIG. 3 k shows an enlarged cutout in region 80 from FIG. 3 a.

The cover 18 has, viewed in the longitudinal direction 30, anessentially U-shaped cross section, which is easily seen in FIGS. 3 c, 3d, 3 f, 3 g, 3 h, and 3 i.

This U-shape has an approximately rectangular structure and is formed bytwo spaced-apart legs 82. 84 that could also be designated as flangesand a connection section 86 connecting these two legs.

This cover 18 is inserted on the side of the first unit 16 facing awayfrom the base 20 so that the connection section 86 faces this base andthe legs 82, 84 project away from the connection section 16 in thedirection facing away from the base.

Several brackets 88 extend from the legs 82, 84 of the U-shaped profile.

These brackets 88 have an arc-shaped form in the embodiment. Thebrackets 88 extend outward from the ends of the legs 82, 84 facing awayfrom the connection region 86, i.e., specifically, they are bent.However, these brackets 88 could also have a bent profile instead of anarc-shaped profile.

End sections of the side walls 22, 24 are held in the brackets 88. Theside walls 22, 24 can be soldered with the cover 18 in the region ofthese brackets, that is, in particular, through solder-plating. Thecover is soldered, in particular, to the first unit, so that a tightconnection is produced, wherein, in particular, the method ofsolder-plating could be used.

The brackets 88 are spaced apart from each other viewed in thelongitudinal direction 30, so that, bracket-free regions are formed onthe legs 82, 84 between adjacent brackets 88 in this longitudinaldirection 30. The brackets 88 continue onto the legs 82. 84, so that thecover could be made from sheet metal.

Based on the size of the opening 40, the cover has a bulge that isadapted essentially to the profile of the side walls 22, 24.

Furthermore, the cover has recesses 90, 92, 94. These recesses runtransverse or perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 30approximately through the entire cover.

The recesses 90, 92 are used for holding the end walls 26, 28 or theupper parts 26-1, 28-1 of the end walls 26, 28. These recesses 90, 92have run-on beveling that eases the insertion of the end walls 26, 28and/or allows centering.

The recesses 90, 92 support the end walls 26, 28 in the longitudinaldirection 30, that is, in particular, on both sides or in bothorientations.

The recess 94 that here has an essentially rectangular cross sectionthat could also be provided, however, with run-on beveling or that has abulged structure is used for holding the separating wall 32.

The recesses 90, 92, 94 also simplify, in particular, the solderingprocess in that the corresponding end walls or separating walls can beinserted there and can then be soldered. The soldering can be performed,in particular, by means of solder-plating.

As can be easily inferred from FIG. 3 k, the recesses 90, 92 in thisembodiment run in a bracket-like section 96 that encompasses the endwalls 26, 28 or the upper parts 26-1, 28-1 of the end walls 26, 28 fromthe outside. This bracket-like section 96 is formed so that it initiallycontacts essentially the corresponding end wall 26, 28 or thecorresponding upper part 26-1, 28-1 of the end wall 26, 28, and then thefree end projects away from this end wall at an angle, so that anintermediate space is given between the free end and the correspondingend wall, which eases the soldering.

The recesses 90, 92 or 94, which are, in particular, beads or beads withinsertion beveling, could be used, in particular, for fixing and/or forcompensating for play in the end walls.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show detailed cutouts of the first, one-piece unit 16, 16a of the coolant casing 10 or 12 according to the invention from FIGS. 1a to 3 k.

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a partially completed, first one-piece unit16 or 16 a. There, in particular, the opposing side walls 22 and 24 areshown, and also the base 20 that here has a bulged structure.

This one-piece unit 16, 16 a is formed from sheet metal that wasinitially punched and in which the side walls 22. 24 were then bent.

Before the bending of the side walls or after the bending of the sidewalls, the base 20 was shaped with the deep-drawing method. In this way,a closed section 110 of the end wall 26, 28, i.e., the lower part 26-2,28-2 of the end wall 26, 28 is formed.

In this completed state, in the region of the bending edge 112 or 26-3,28-3, a section projects outwardly from the plane of the picture, i.e.,the upper part 26-1, 28-1 of the end wall 26, 28 that forms the completeend wall 26, 28 when bent or folded about the bending/folding line 26-3,28-3.

This is also easy to see in FIG. 5 that shows a top view onto thestructure according to FIG. 4. The end wall 26 shown there does not yethave its completely assembled position there.

To bring the end wall 26 into its position, it or its upper part 26-1,28-1 is bent, in FIG. 5, upwardly during the course of the productionprocess about the folding or bending edge 112 or 26-3, 28-3 after thedeep drawing, so that it or its upper part 26-1, 28-1 contacts the endof the side walls 22, 24 with its lateral brackets 112, 114.

These brackets 112, 114 are then also bent, that is, so that they arearranged essentially parallel to the side walls 22, 24 and thus formregions for a solder connection with the side walls 2, 24.

As is easy to infer from FIG. 5, triangular recesses are given in theregions 116, 118 that are, for example, punched and that allow, incertain applications, simplified bending.

FIG. 6 shows a cutout shown in perspective for an example coolant casing10 or 12 according to the invention, wherein it is to be noted that thestructure according to FIG. 6 could also be given in the embodimentaccording to FIGS. 1 a to 3 k.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an alternative first, one-piece unit16 b that also has the base 20, the side parts 22, 24, and also the endparts 26, 28 (not shown), but differs in the production of the firstone-piece unit 16 or 16 a in the structure according to FIGS. 4 and 5.

In the view according to FIG. 6, in particular, the opposing side walls22 and 24 and the end wall 26 are shown, and also the base 20 that herecould also have a bulged structure.

This alternative one-piece unit 16 b is also shaped from sheet metalthat was initially punched according to the given shape. Throughsubsequent deep drawing of the punched sheet metal, the base 20, theside parts 22, 24, and also the end parts 26, 28 are formed, wherein, inthe alternative first one-piece unit 16 b, a casing is formed that isclosed on the sides and bottom and that is open toward the top.

In this way, an essential component of the coolant casing 10 or 12 isalready formed advantageously in this one step.

In the scope of the further production process, the cover 18 is insertedinto this casing or unit 16 b and soldered to this casing or unit, inparticular, by means of solder-plating.

Preferably, the casing 10, 12 is made from metal, in particular, fromaluminum.

FIGS. 7 a to 7 d show an embodiment of a casing-cover connection inwhich the casing 100 is connected to the cover 101. Here, the casing 100has a tube base 102 in which openings 103 or passages for holding tubesare provided. Furthermore, the casing 100 has side walls 104, 105 thatare bent upward essentially at a right angle starting from the tube baseand are placed upward. By means of the side walls 104, 105, the casing100 forms a casing 100 that is open essentially on one side with fourside walls 104, 105 that contact each other on their narrow sides ornarrow-side end regions and that are connected to each other in a sealedway. The cover 101 has edge regions 106, 107 placed on its four edges,wherein these edge regions contact the insides and optionally the uppernarrow sides of the side walls 104. 105 and can be connected to thesesides in a sealing way. On the long sides of the cover 101 there areedge regions 106 that are positioned essentially at a right angle to theplane of the cover and that have flaps 108 that are bent into anapproximately U-shaped form such that they grip over the upper endregions or narrow sides of the side walls 104. On the short sides of thecover 101 there are additional assemblies or edge regions 107 that havea structure rising at an angle in a first region and that have, inanother region, an essentially U-shaped form or flaps that grip over theend region of the side wall 105. In this way, the upright region 107contacts the side wall 105 on the outside of the side wall with itsinside.

FIGS. 8 a to 8 d show another embodiment example of a casing-coverconnection in which the casing 200 is connected to the cover 201. Thecasing 200 here has a tube base 202 in which there are openings 203 orpassages for holding tubes. Furthermore, the casing 200 has side walls204, 205 that are bent upward essentially at a right angle starting fromthe tube base and that are positioned upright. By means of the sidewalls 204, 205, the casing 200 forms a nearly right-angle casing 200that is essentially open on one side with four side walls 204, 205 thatcontact each other on their narrow sides or narrow-side end regions andthat are connected in a sealed way, for example, they are soldered toeach other.

The cover 201 has edge regions 206, 207 that are positioned at its fouredges and that contact the insides and optionally the upper narrow sidesof the side walls 204, 205 and that can be connected to these sides in asealing way. On the long sides of the cover 201 there are edge regions206 that are positioned essentially at a right angle to the plane of thecover and that have flaps 208 that are bent in an approximately U-shapedform such that they grip over the upper end regions or narrow sides ofthe side walls 204. In this way, the two inner surfaces of the flaps 208contact the side wall on both sides. Furthermore, on the short sides ofthe cover 201 there are assemblies or edge regions 207 that have anessentially U-shaped form or corresponding U-shaped flaps 209 that gripover the end region of the side wall 205. In this way, the one or moreupright regions 207 or the flaps 209 contact a region of the side wall205 on both sides with their two inner surfaces on the correspondingouter surface of the side wall 205. Through the construction of thejoint surfaces as sharp-edged impressions, for example, through deepdrawing, a larger area joint surface is generated, so that the solderavailable for tight soldering of the casing and cover is improved. Theassembly is also significantly improved because the joint surfacesadvantageously contact each other essentially without gaps.Advantageously, the flaps or side walls have insertion beveling, inorder to achieve gap-free joining to each other. The cover isadvantageously connected to the side walls of the casing in the cornersof the cover by the sharp-edged construction. For this purpose, thecorners of the cover and/or the casing could also be advantageouslyembossed. By depositing an additional solder supply, such as a solderpaste, the solder supply is increased, thereby improving the tightsoldering.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show embodiments of the invention in which the flaps 250that have an essentially U-shaped form have, in their comb region 251,an opening 252 through which a flap 253 of the side wall 254 of thecasing passes. In this way, the flaps 253 could be bent to the side asshown in FIG. 9 or could be deformed by a tool as shown in FIG. 10, sothat loosening of the cover by pulling the flap 250 away from the flap253 is prevented.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show another embodiment example of the invention inwhich the casing 300 can be connected to the cover 301, wherein, in FIG.11, the casing 300 is still constructed separately from the cover 301and, in FIG. 12, the cover 301 is positioned on the casing 300. Thecasing has four walls of which only three 302, 303, 304 are shown thatare connected to each other at the sides, for example, by means ofsoldering. In a modified embodiment, the casing could also be producedwith the side walls in one piece through deep drawing, so that the jointregions at the side edges or side end regions of the walls would beeliminated.

The cover 301 has a peripheral, upright edge 305 that, with its outersurface 306, can be brought into contact with the inner surface 307 ofthe side walls 302, 303, 304 of the casing 300, in order to generate asealed joint connection between the casing 300 and the cover 301.Preferably, the cover is constructed in one piece with the peripheraledge 305. The cover can be produced with the edge, for example, throughdeep drawing. As is to be recognized, the corner 308 of the edge 305 hasa relatively sharp edge, so that the cover fits well in the similarlyrelatively sharp-edged corner 309 of the casing and the joint connectionis also soldered with a good seal in the corner region.

Furthermore, it is to be recognized that the edge 305 of the cover 301is beveled at its lower region connecting to the base of the cover (see310), so that this bevel is used as insertion beveling 310 for theassembly of the cover 301 in the casing 300.

Furthermore, the cover 301 has projections or flaps 311 that, startingfrom the edge 305, have an approximately U-shaped form consideredtogether with this edge and that are open downward, in order to form,between the edge 305 and the flap 311, a receptacle in which the upperedge region of the side wall 302 to 304 of the casing 300 could engage.For better insertion of the edge of the casing, the flaps 311 could bebeveled at the bottom and on the outside, in order to form insertionbeveling.

As is to be recognized in FIGS. 11 and 12, the corners of the cover fiteasily into the corners of the side walls of the casing, so that securesoldering of the cover and casing can be achieved.

FIGS. 13 a to 13 c and 14 a to 14 c show another embodiment of a casing400 with a cover 401. The cover 401 is deep-drawn and has an essentiallyflat, central region 402 but that could definitely have beads 403 forreinforcement. Furthermore, the cover 401 has connection possibilitieswith openings 404 for feeding and/or discharging a fluid andadvantageously optionally for the attachment or arrangement ofconnection flanges or connection tubes 405. In addition, the cover 401has connection possibilities for holding elements 406 that can beconnected to the cover. These can be, for example, riveted, soldered, ormechanically joined to the cover.

The cover 401 has a peripheral edge 407 that is upright and has anapproximately U-shaped or rectangular cross section, in order to be ableto hold the upper ends of the side walls of the casing 400. In this way,the cross section of the edge of the cover 401 could definitely have acomparable shape as in FIG. 8 c, 11, or 12. In addition, slots 408 oropenings could be formed in the comb region in the U-shaped orrectangular, upright edge, wherein through these slots, flaps 409 of theedge of the casing 400 could be passed for the secure connection of thecover 401 and casing 400 before soldering. Such flaps 409 are alreadyshown, for example, by FIG. 9 or 10.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 13 and 14 it is advantageous that the cornerregion 410 of the cover 401 and the casing has a rounded structure, sothat the question of the exact fit of the cover 401 and casing 400 inthe corner region could be more easily guaranteed.

For example, in the center of the cover 401 there is a receptacle 411for a separating wall that is arranged within the casing and that couldbe inserted, if needed, so that it could separate the casing into tworegions. If the separating wall is not needed, then it could also beleft out.

The casing 400 has four walls 413, 414, 415, and 416, wherein, of thesefour, two are short end walls 415 and 416 and two are long side walls413 and 414. These are advantageously deep-drawn with the base 412 ofthe casing 400 in one piece. In the base 412 there are openings orpassages for holding tubes. Furthermore, in the casing 400 there areside receptacles 417 for a separating wall, wherein these sidereceptacles interact with the receptacles in the cover, in order to holdor fix, if needed, a separating wall.

FIG. 15 shows a heat exchanger 500 that has a network on parallel tubes501 and ribs 502 advantageously arranged in between. The tubes 501 areinserted in their end regions into casings 503, 504 in a sealed way,wherein the casings 503, 504 have openings or passages in a tube basefor this purpose. Furthermore, the casings have the structure of thecover and casing shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, wherein connection ports 505are provided on a casing for feeding and discharging a fluid.Furthermore, holding means 506 can be recognized.

1. A casing for holding a coolant for a heat exchanger for motorvehicles comprising four walls, consisting of two side walls and two endwalls, a cover, and a base arranged opposite the cover, in which one ormore openings are provided for holding connecting tubes, wherein thebase and at least one of the two end walls are components of a one-piecemolded part formed by a shaping method.
 2. The casing according to claim1, wherein the base and the two end walls are components of a one-piecemolded part formed by the shaping method.
 3. The casing according toclaim 1, wherein the base, the two end walls and at least one of theside walls are components of a one-piece molded part formed by theshaping method.
 4. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the shapingmethod is a drawing method.
 5. The casing according to claim 1, whereinthe molded part is drawn and/or hydro-shaped, and/or mold-pressed moldedpart.
 6. The casing according to claim 1, wherein the one or more endwalls have a folding or bending line along which the one or more endwalls can be folded or bent.
 7. The casing according to claim 1, whereinthe folding or bending line runs at a given height of the one or moreend walls transverse to a longitudinal direction of the base.
 8. Thecasing according to claim 7, wherein the given height lies at or closeto a plane defined by lower edges of the side parts
 9. The casingaccording to claim 6, wherein a first region of the one or more endwalls underneath the folding or bending line is drawn, and a secondregion of the one or more end walls above the folding or bending line isfolded or bent about this line.
 10. The casing according to claim 1,wherein the one or more end walls are drawn all together.
 11. The casingaccording to claim 1, wherein the one or more end walls have at leastone bracket and/or assembly that is arranged on the side and/or that canbe angled.
 12. The casing according to claim 11, wherein the one or morebrackets and/or assemblies are angled so that they are arrangedessentially parallel to one of the side walls and/or are connected by asolder connection with one of the side walls.
 13. The casing accordingto claim 1, wherein at least one essentially triangular recess is formedin the molded part in a transition region between the base and the oneor more end walls.
 14. The casing according to claim 1, wherein thecover has at least one first recess in which a first of the end walls isheld, but, the first recess and a second recess that is different fromthe first recess and in which a second end wall spaced apart relative tothe first end wall is held.
 15. The casing according to claim 1, whereinthe molded part is made from a one-piece, pre-punched sheet metal part.16. A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, comprising a tube-rib blockand a casing comprising four walls, consisting of two side walls and twoend walls, a cover, and a base arranged opposite the cover, in which oneor more openings are provided for holding connecting tubes, wherein thebase and at least one of the two end walls are components of a one-piecemolded part formed by a shaping method, wherein the tubes of thetube-rib block open, in the region of the base of the casing into thecasing.
 17. A method for producing a casing for holding a coolant, for aheat exchanger wherein an inner space of the casing is defined by wallsthat are, two side walls, and two end walls, the casing comprising acover, and a base arranged opposite the cover, and a one-piece part thathas the base and at least one of the two end walls comprising producingthe one-piece part by a drawing method, further processing the one-piecepart by a shaping method including drawing, and/or hydro-shaping, and/ormold pressing, wherein the one or more end walls are formed at leastpartially, and connecting the one-piece part by solder-plating, toanother part or additional parts that form the other wall or wallsdefining the inner space of the casing for forming the casing.
 18. Themethod according to claim 17, wherein the one or more end walls areformed all together by the shaping method.
 19. The method according toclaim 17, wherein the one or more end walls are formed only up to apartial height by the shaping method and for a remaining height byfolding or bending.